MISSION PROJECTS & COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Adopt-a-School:  We have adopted Cleveland Elementary School in Washington, D.C.  Frequently, we have gathered up a wide variety of school supplies, books, personal items and Christmas gifts to take to the children.

In response to the Bishop's Initiative on Children and Poverty, the Alexandria District is establishing an after-school program for disadvantaged Hispanic children living in the Route 1 Corridor.

This center will be based at Faith UMC, where Misión La Esperanza is currently located, and run during school days from 3 to 6:00 p.m. To get started on the right foot, the center needs help in the following ways:

• Pray for the Center
• Volunteer to help with transportation, recreation or tutoring
• Provide playground equipment such as balls, jumpropes, chalk, etc.
• Help educate church members about this center and opportunities to volunteer.
• Help us find a part-time program director
• Donate money for snacks, education materials, music, etc.

This is only the first step. With the lessons learned from this first center, four others are planned throughout the district. For more information, call Melissa Dunlap at 820-7200.

Carpenter's Shelter:  This shelter provides lodging and meals to the homeless.  It is run and supported by a collective of churches in the Alexandria area.  On a regular basis, Cameron members take their turn to serve and provide dinner to the shelter.  It is located at 802 North Henry Street, Alexandria, VA, 683-7383.   The Combined Federal Campaign contribution number is #8228.  See their web site at www.carpentersshelter.org .

Eleanor U. Kennedy Center for the Homeless:   Cameron helps support this shelter through donations and member service.  It is located at 9155 Richmond Highway at Fort Belvoir, VA, 768-3400.

Missionaries: Cameron UMC is in a covenant relation providing support to Jacques Umembudi Akasa, a missionary of the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church assigned to the Wings of Caring Aviation Ministry in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. As a pilot-mechanic and program director of the Wings of Caring Aviation Ministry, Jacques flies people and supplies to various missions in the region.  To learn more, go to this link:  http://www.vaumc.org/index.cfm/fa/content.view/menuID/1092.htm     

Koinonia Foundation: This organization is housed in the Franconia United Methodist Church, but is supported by an ecumenical collection of churches throughout the area.  It provides a wide range of support to people in this region by providing them with food, clothing, household items and transportation.  Cameron members support Koinonia with their labor and donations of money and items.  Franconia church is located at 6037 Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA, 971-1991.  The Combined Federal Campaign contribution number is #8283.

Meals-on-Wheels: Cameron members work with this well-established program to deliver food and meals to shut-ins, elderly and temporarily disabled people.

Samaritan Fund Offering:  Most of us recall Jesus’ parable about the Good Samaritan, who stopped to help the unfortunate crime victim who had been stripped, beaten, robbed and left for dead by bandits. Even though Samaritans were despised by Jews (and vice-versa), Jesus deliberately chose a Samaritan to be the hero of his tale. These offerings are used to help the many elderly residents in our six homes for the aging throughout the Conference who cannot afford their total cost of care. When you contribute to "The Samaritan Fund" you are helping some person in need, just as the Good Samaritan helped the beaten man beside the road.

Mondloch House:  This small apartment block in south Alexandria along Route 1 provides transitional housing for individuals and families that require temporary help to get back on their feet.   Cameron supports this project with donations, labor and work skills training to the inhabitants.

Mt. Vernon-Lee Child Development Center: This facility provides quality day care for children of low income families.  It is located at Cameron Elementary School, 3434 Campbell Drive, Alexandria, VA, 960-1831.

Mt. Vernon Adult Day Care Center:   This center provides day care to the elderly of the area.  In addition to member contributions, Cameron's pastor leads periodic devotional services for the participants.

Rising Hope United Methodist Church:   This is a newly established store-front church serving the people in Route 1 corridor.  Cameron members helped get this new church started in 1997 and continue to support it with donations, labor and other services.

Cub Scouts & Boy Scouts: Cameron UMC sponsors Boy Scout Troop 1150 and Cub Scout Pack 1520.  Both meet regularly and are very active units.  Though Cameron does not currently sponsor a Girl Scout troop, members are acting in leadership positions in active troops in the immediate area.  Each year, Cameron devotes a special Sunday to recognize all scouts.

English as a Second Language (ESL): Cameron members work with one or more centers in the local area as tutors, teaching immigrants to improve their language skills and get along in our culture.

United Methodist Special Projects: Throughout the year, Cameron members respond to calls by the United Methodist Conference for special financial giving in support of disaster relief efforts in the U.S. and around the world.   Members also step forward as "Volunteers in Mission," working in a wide variety of projects within the U.S. and abroad.  These can range from building or repairing houses, building schools and orphanages, or constructing wells and other community tasks.